Some statistics ahead of the CSKA-PSV encounter (PSV.nl)

PSV need a point to ensure a UEFA Cup place when they take on CSKA Moscow tonight, but realise this will be a tall assignment. CSKA Moscow have no chance of progressing in the UEFA Champions League, but a win over PSV would put them level on points with the defending Dutch champions and boost their hopes of finishing third in the group. Danko Lazovic is one booking away from a ban.

PSV cherish good memories of the Locomotiv Stadium, as they enjoyed Russian Railways Cup victories against AC Milan and Real Madrid in the stadium in August. PSV took part in the tournament during the pres-season summer campaign, and impressed with some good results. Tonight's referee, the Spaniard Manuel Mejuto González, is no stranger to PSV either. He has been in charge of three PSV games and as many CSKA matches before. González refereed the 2004/05 Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool. The English side were trailing 3-0 at half time, but staged a sensational comeback and eventually beat AC Milan 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. In that season, PSV were eliminated from the semi finals by AC Milan. PSV slipped to a 2-0 defeat in Milan, but earned a 3-1 win over the Italian champions in Eindhoven.Three CSKA Moscow players, Dudu, Yuri Zhirkov and Elvir Rahimic, are one booking away from suspension, and if Danko Lazovic is shown a yellow card tonight, the Serbian striker will also serve a one-match ban. Eric Addo will serve the second of a four-game ban against CSKA Moscow, while Simons, Van der Leegte, De Jong and Da Costa are all ruled out through injuries. Afellay is likely to make his European comeback, after he broke a toe during the Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow in Eindhoven on 19 September. CSKA claimed a UEFA Cup spot for next term, courtesy to a third-place finish behind champions Zenit St.Petersburg and runners-up Spartak Moscow. CSKA ended the campaign with the best defensive record, conceding only 24 goals in 30 matches.

CKSA coach Gazzaev recently signed a contract extension that will keep him to the club until 2011. He led his team to UEFA Cup glory in 2005 and won three domestic titles with CSKA. Four CSKA players were recently on international with Russia, who, coached by Guus Hiddink, miraculously booked a place in the Euro 2008 finals.The Brazilian international Vagner Love featured in Brazil's 1-1 draw with Jefferson Farfán's Peru in a 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The weather conditions in Moscow today are slightly better than yesterday. It is still cold, but it has stopped raining. The bumpy, rain-soaked pitch will make conditions very difficult for both teams. 15000 fans are expected attend the game in the Lokomotiv Stadium, which has a capacity of 28000.